Staff / Katherine Frye /
Grantly Ricketts, County Agriculture Extension Agent, will help Fulton County residents learn about the best times and techniques to plant, grow, and prune tress and shrubs during an upcoming class at Fulton Camp Truitt in College Park.

Residents in south Fulton County still have plenty of time to play in the dirt and learn useful gardening tips and tricks in Fulton County Cooperative Extensions’ Fall Planting: Trees and Shrubs class.

The class, which will take place at Fulton Camp Truitt, 4300 Herschel Road in College Park Thursday at 6 p.m., is offered to residents for free.

“Residents are invited to learn the fundamentals of planting and caring for trees and shrubs and how to beautify their yards and neighborhoods,” county spokeswoman April Majors said in a statement.

Topics covered include the best time to prune and pest control.

The class is designed to give attendees the chance to get outside and have a “hands-on, helping experience,” Majors said.

Class space is limited to about 30 participants, so those interested should reserve a spot by calling (404) 762-4077.

County Agricultural Extension Agent Grantley Ricketts said he saw a need for the class by speaking with people in the community.

“Most residents that I spoke with believed spring was the best time to plant and garden, but for trees, fall is better,” he said.

Ricketts said he hopes to “re-educate,” citizens and clear up commonly believed yet inaccurate ideas about planting techniques.

He said many gardeners make mistakes with watering and soil, but can easily learn the right way to plant by taking the class.

“Unfortunately, many people go to the store and buy fertilizer and waste money, but we encourage and teach people to do a soil test and PH test to check water levels, which are important for soil health,” Ricketts said.

Although many residents stop planting in the fall, Ricketts said the change of season actually offers gardeners many benefits.

“In the spring that just passed, a lot of people didn’t get the chance to work outside because of the rain, but the cooling of the temperature and less direct sun and heat will encourage more root growth,” he said.

Ricketts also said many plants and shrubs are cheaper in the fall as plant nurseries prepare to clean out their stock for the winter months.

He said he most enjoyed the practicality of the class and “teaching and helping people.”

“I hope [the class] will help our community to teach each other good planting techniques, too,” he said.

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